General Information
Manufacturer: Astrazeneca
Medical Name: Albuterol
Purpose: Airsupra is an asthma rescue inhaler FDA-approved to treat symptoms and help prevent asthma attacks across all severities
Possible Side Effects
| Side Effect | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| Headache | 4.3% - 5.1% |
| Oral candidiasis (thrush) | 1.3% - 1.5% |
| Cough | 1.0% - 2.5% |
| Dysphonia (hoarseness/voice changes) | 2.0% |
Serious Side Effects
| Side Effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Paradoxical bronchospasm | Sudden worsening of breathing, coughing, and wheezing immediately after use. This can be life-threatening. |
| Serious allergic reactions | Symptoms include skin rash, severe itching, redness or swelling of the face, mouth, or tongue, trouble breathing or swallowing, and chest pain. |
| Heart problems | Faster heart rate (tachycardia), palpitations, and higher blood pressure. |
| Changes in blood levels | Low potassium levels (hypokalemia) which can cause muscle weakness or abnormal heart rhythms. |
| Weakened immune system and increased risk of infection | The steroid component (budesonide) can increase susceptibility to infections, including fungal infections like oral thrush. |
| Reduced adrenal function (adrenal insufficiency) | Symptoms include fatigue, weakness, nausea, vomiting, and low blood pressure. |
| Eye problems | Long-term use may increase the risk of glaucoma and cataracts, so regular eye exams are recommended. |
| Decreased bone mineral density | Long-term use can affect bone strength (osteoporosis). |
Contraindications
Do not use Airsupra if you are allergic to albuterol, budesonide, or any of the other ingredients (excipients) in the inhaler. Hypersensitivity reactions can be severe, including anaphylaxis, angioedema, bronchospasm, rash, and hives, and require immediate discontinuation of the drug.
Precautions and Warnings
| Precaution | Description |
|---|---|
| Cardiovascular Disorders | Like other beta-2 adrenergic agonists (albuterol), Airsupra can produce clinically significant cardiovascular effects. It should be used with caution in patients with coronary insufficiency, cardiac arrhythmias, or hypertension. |
| Endocrine and Metabolic Conditions | Caution is advised for patients with convulsive disorders, hyperthyroidism, or diabetes mellitus. Beta-adrenergic agonists may also produce significant, though usually transient, hypokalemia (low potassium levels) in some patients. |
| Immunosuppression and Infections | As an inhaled corticosteroid (budesonide), Airsupra can cause immunosuppression. This means the risk of certain infections may be heightened, and a more serious or fatal course of chickenpox or measles could occur in susceptible individuals. |
| Paradoxical Bronchospasm | Airsupra can cause paradoxical bronchospasm, which is life-threatening. If this occurs, the medication should be stopped immediately and other treatments started. |
| Overuse and Maintenance Therapy |
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